Monday we were talking with a business owner and they used the word “smarmy.” Neither Lori nor I had ever heard the word, giving the person who said it a great deal of credit for making up such an appropriate word for the behavior they were describing.

Lo and behold, a quick Google search discovered it really was a word. In fact the first known use of the word was in 1924. You know it’s a real word when it’s older than I am.

Do you know what smarmy means?

Well, smarmy is an adjective that means ingratiating and wheedling in a way that is perceived as insincere or excessive. Synonyms include unctuous, ingratiating, slick, oily, greasy, fawning and, of course, sucky.

The New Yorker added “of low sleazy taste or quality.”

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